ERASMUS CHANGING LIVES OPENING MINDS fOR 25 YEARS

Helen
Margus
‘You will remember your time abroad for the rest of your life’
Home institution:
Tallinn University, Estonia
Host institution:
University of Ioannina, Greece
Field of study:
Psychology
Duration:
5 months (2005)
‘Erasmus allows students to have either a social or a serious opportunity – and
it can be both.’ At home Helen Margus had combined work with academic study.
Going to Greece meant studying full time. This included studying a new language,
managing her own life and adjusting to new ways of studying. ‘It wasn’t so much
about what I learnt; it was more about what I experienced. Knowledge can be
acquired anywhere, it is the whole experience that matters. I would recommend
everyone takes the opportunity as you will remember it for the rest of your life.’
The Erasmus placement increased her confidence about living away from home
and made her more open to socialising with people from other countries. It also
improved her English language skills and showed her she was capable of making
new friends and sorting out problems using another language.
After graduation, she worked as a student psychologist at her home university.
Her experience of time spent abroad made it easier to empathise with many international
students. She now works in private practice as a clinical psychologist and
psychotherapist in a counseling centre. ‘I feel that the experience of sharing everyday
life with different people has given me more understanding, courage and
confidence in my work and social life.’
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